High-flying Salford too strong for Barnet

Salford produced a disciplined and clinical display to beat Barnet 3-1 at the Hive.

The home side created the first chance after Ryan Glover delivered a cross from the left but Adam Senior failed to make contact and Salford goalkeeper Matt Young claimed the ball.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Rosaire Longelo’s cross found Josh Austerfield in the box. His low shot was saved by Cieran Slicker but Austerfield reacted quickly to convert the rebound.

Five minutes later, Salford doubled their lead. Jorge Grant played a perfectly timed pass into Kallum Cesay’s path and, in trying to intervene, Nnamdi Ofoborh inadvertently diverted the ball past his own keeper.

Karl Robinson’s side began the second half on the front foot and Kelly N’Mai cut inside the box only for his curling effort to be blocked.

He turned provider five minutes later with a low cross that found Daniel Udoh, who poked home Salford’s third.

Barnet grabbed a late consolation as Oliver Hawkins nodded home after Rhys Browne’s two headers were saved by Young but they have now suffered back-to-back defeats.